Saga of Bean Windows - Continued

Dave Mikkelson provided this update on the in-going saga of the "Bean WIndows:

Today General Bean's Memorial Window was delivered to the MAJOR GENERAL EMMETT J. BEAN CENTER (The "Finance Center") at the former Fort Benjamin Harrison.

The 'SAGA' will be complete when the window is mounted in a conference room dedicated to General Bean in the area of the Center controlled by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). I'll take more photos and wrap up the story when that happens.

In the first photo attached is Ms. Janie Terrell of the DFAS Facilities, Logistics & Admin Services (left). On the right is Mr. Tom Van Hoy who initially installed the BEAN windows at the chapel after we brought them back from Fort Jackson, SC, in 2009. Tom then removed them in May this year and had General Bean's window framed with ebony stained poplar

 Looks quite classy and elegant and will match the color of framing of other display items that DFAS is planning. Cost of removing and mailing of the memorial panes of Mrs. Bean's windows to the family and the framing of General Bean's window was graciously donated by The Society of Retired Army Finance Officers (RAFINO).

Ms. Terrel was also provided with a file of documents tracing the origin of the window back to its donation by "KIT" (Keeping in Touch) - a group of Officers associated with General Bean at Duke University location of the Finance School. Original dedication of the window at Soldiers' Memorial Chapel was in June 1987. Other stained glass windows had earlier been donated to the chapel in memory of Mrs. Bean.

When the Fort was being closed in the mid-1990's, the stained glass windows dedicated in memory of General and Mrs. Bean were removed, crated and shipped to the Finance Corps Museum relocated to Fort Jackson, SC where they remained crated and in storage for several years. In 2009, the Army granted release of the windows to be returned to the chapel being used by Christians United Church with approval of the property owner, The Lawrence Township School District. In April 2012, the School District sold the chapel properties to a private K-12 academy and the church was required to vacate the chapel. Thus, the Bean windows were once again removed to find a new home.

Respectfully yours,

Dave Mikkelson